Simply put, collaborative divorce involves divorcing spouses negotiating a divorce agreement in a cooperative manner with the help of their attorneys and other professionals. Engaging in a collaborative divorce could be the best option depending on your situation. However, you may be feeling unsure about the collaborative divorce process because of what you have read or heard. Before making your final decision, you should know that there are many myths about the collaborative divorce process. Debunking these myths can help you make a decision that is in your best interests. This article debunks five of the most common myths about the collaborative divorce process.
Myth #1: My Rights and Interests Will Not Be Protected if I Choose a Collaborative Divorce
This is not true. In a collaborative divorce, you retain your divorce lawyer, and your spouse retains theirs. A qualified and experienced attorney can protect your legal rights and interests.
Myth #2: Collaborative Divorce is Only for Spouses Who Agree on All Divorce-Related Matters
One of the most prevalent misconceptions about collaborative divorce is that this ADR method is only for spouses who agree on everything. Indeed, you and your spouse must agree that you want to try a collaborative divorce. However, you don’t have to agree on all divorce-related matters. Even if you disagree on some things, you can still try a collaborative divorce. During the collaborative process, you’ll work with your lawyers and other professionals, such as mental health professionals, child specialists, and financial experts, to resolve your issues.
Myth #3: You Cannot Resolve Child-Related Matters Through Collaborative Divorce
Another untruth that people believe about collaborative divorce is that you can’t resolve child-related matters through this ADR method. However, the truth is that collaborative divorce can be an excellent option for divorcing parents. In the collaborative process, parents work with neutral professionals to develop solutions that suit their needs and the needs of their children. Timesharing and child support matters can be resolved through the collaborative process with the help of neutral professionals.
Myth #4: Collaborative Divorce is a Difficult Process
Collaborative divorce, just like any other divorce, can be challenging. However, it is not necessarily true that collaborative divorce is more difficult than other processes. If you put in the time and effort, you can make the process easier. Additionally, the fact that there are no lengthy court proceedings involved can make the process less stressful.
Myth #5: Collaborative Divorce is Too Expensive
You might have read somewhere or heard someone say that collaborative divorce is too expensive because of the experts involved in the process. The truth is that collaborative divorce is usually less costly than going to court. Spending on trial preparation can be extremely expensive. With a collaborative divorce, you do not have to worry about raising legal fees associated with trial preparation. Also, you only need to pay the professionals according to how you have used their services.
Contact Tampa Bay Legal Center for Legal Help
If you are considering collaborative divorce and have questions about this process, contact our experienced divorce attorneys at Tampa Bay Legal Center, P.A.
